Ex-police officer gets 15 months for accepting free accommodation from subject of police investigation
2006-3-4
A former Detective Station Sergeant of the Police, charged by the ICAC, was today (Saturday) jailed for 15 months at Kowloon City Magistracy for accepting free accommodation at a flat in Macao from a subject of police investigation for showing favour to t he latter.
So Hoi-chuen, 55, now retired, was earlier found guilty on one count of public servant accepting advantages, contrary to Section 4(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (PBO).
Appearing in the same trial, Ngan Chun-ming, 45, the subject of police investigation, was convicted on one count of offering advantages to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1) of PBO. Ngan also received a 15-month jail term.
In response to the defence mitigation, Magistrate Mr Douglas Yau said efforts in maintain Hong Kong’s international image as a corruption-free city should not slacken, adding that the offences committed by the defendants were serious and the above sentence was therefore appropriate.
The Magistrate also said that So, as a senior police officer with over 30 years of experience at the time of the offence, should have been fully aware that such act was illegal and the consequence would be very serious.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, So was a serving Detective Station Sergeant attached to the Regional Anti-triad Unit of Kowloon West Region.
So became acquainted with Ngan in 2001 while Ngan was on police bail for a suspected criminal damage case investigated by So's unit.
In March 2003, Ngan was again arrested by So's unit for suspected unlawful assembly offence in the Yaumatei Fruit Market. So was present in the Police briefing session leading to Ngan's arrest.
On two occasions in July 2003, So met Ngan to obtain information regarding two suspected wounding cases.
On September 1, 2003, So met Ngan in a fast food shop. During the meeting, Ngan told So that on the latter's behalf, he had settled the first two months' rent and commission for the property agent in relation to the leasing of a residential premises in M acau.
So then told Ngan that the occupancy for the premises would last for six months, and it was agreed that Ngan would pay the rents.
The above meeting was covertly monitored by the ICAC. While evidence obtained from the surveillance was challenged by the defence during the trial, the magistrate ruled that the evidence was admissible.
The free accommodation was a reward for So to treat Ngan favourably in a manner contrary to his duty as a police officer, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer James Chan.
So Hoi-chuen, 55, now retired, was earlier found guilty on one count of public servant accepting advantages, contrary to Section 4(2) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (PBO).
Appearing in the same trial, Ngan Chun-ming, 45, the subject of police investigation, was convicted on one count of offering advantages to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1) of PBO. Ngan also received a 15-month jail term.
In response to the defence mitigation, Magistrate Mr Douglas Yau said efforts in maintain Hong Kong’s international image as a corruption-free city should not slacken, adding that the offences committed by the defendants were serious and the above sentence was therefore appropriate.
The Magistrate also said that So, as a senior police officer with over 30 years of experience at the time of the offence, should have been fully aware that such act was illegal and the consequence would be very serious.
The court heard that at the time of the offences, So was a serving Detective Station Sergeant attached to the Regional Anti-triad Unit of Kowloon West Region.
So became acquainted with Ngan in 2001 while Ngan was on police bail for a suspected criminal damage case investigated by So's unit.
In March 2003, Ngan was again arrested by So's unit for suspected unlawful assembly offence in the Yaumatei Fruit Market. So was present in the Police briefing session leading to Ngan's arrest.
On two occasions in July 2003, So met Ngan to obtain information regarding two suspected wounding cases.
On September 1, 2003, So met Ngan in a fast food shop. During the meeting, Ngan told So that on the latter's behalf, he had settled the first two months' rent and commission for the property agent in relation to the leasing of a residential premises in M acau.
So then told Ngan that the occupancy for the premises would last for six months, and it was agreed that Ngan would pay the rents.
The above meeting was covertly monitored by the ICAC. While evidence obtained from the surveillance was challenged by the defence during the trial, the magistrate ruled that the evidence was admissible.
The free accommodation was a reward for So to treat Ngan favourably in a manner contrary to his duty as a police officer, the court was told.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Jonathan Man, assisted by ICAC officer James Chan.